Found myself again after 10 years of horrible symptoms

[darleenmc]

I am so happy that I am able to write a success story. I thought I would be sick forever! My story starts about 8 years ago,though when I think about it I probably had symptoms before but thought they were just normal for me.

After my last baby was born about 9 years ago I started having hair loss. It started gradually but continued for the next 8 years to the point that I can only wear my hair up in a ponytail because of bald spots. It was not only falling out but extremely unhealthy and my scalp was always itchy. One by one I would get more strange symptoms. I was severely drained everyday. I would get home from work and have to sit down to play with my daughter. I didn't have energy to even walk most of the time. I had swelling everywhere, and a lot of joint pain. I constantly had stomach issues. Constipation,gas, bloating. It got to the point where everything I ate made me sick. I went to at least 8 different doctors,in different states. Specialists. None of them could give me definitive answers because my blood work came back normal. The only questionable thing was I tested positive for Reactive Arthritis at one point. Which I guess says that you have inflammation in your blood but not sure what the cause was or how to treat it.

I finally went to a holistic doctor who said I seemed to have all the symptoms of Celiac. Although I had been tested for that and it came back negative. She told me to get the book “Wheat Bellyâ€. This all made sense. I cut out Gluten February of last year. My stomach problems got better and the fatigue and joint pain went away completely! Then I found Mark's Daily Apple and decided to give up all grains in June of 2012. Then the swelling went away. I lost 6 lbs of water weight! But my stomach still had issues. That's when I stumbled on FODMAPS. Got rid of those and my stomach symptoms finally went away! Still had the hair loss though. Honestly I could have dealt with the rest of my symptoms but the hair loss was so depressing. That's when I stumbled upon this Whole 30 thing. I am on my second Whole 30 and finally my hair loss has stopped! I have decided to do the Autoimmune Protocol on this second Whole 30 and do it for 90 days. I have no desire to go back to eating the way I did! I miss Chocolate and hope to be able to bring FODMAPS and other things back in at some point but if I can't I can't. I am back to how I was before my 30's when this all started! I'm a better mother and a happier person! Thank you so much for changing my life!

I do have one question. I do want to eventually add more of a variety of fruits and vegetables back into my diet. Just wondering if you have a problem with FODMAPS,is that a forever thing?

[Rojo]

Your story echos mine. Thanks for posting this. I am interested in the replies and information. Glad you are here and have had so much healing! It is extremely hard on the mind and emotions when the people who are supposed to help you (health professionals) test your blood over and over again and send you home with, "You are aging. You just had children. You are depressed. Exercise and lose weight." I walked around for a long time thinking I was crazy. I'm glad I kept searching for answers. It is even harder to lose 60 pounds, eat whole foods, and still have symptoms. I actually had a doctor tell me once, "I think you just have some strange 'Carrie' disease." This is when they diagnosed me with CFS. I have not been back to the doctor since.

[Tom Denham]

I do have one question. I do want to eventually add more of a variety of fruits and vegetables back into my diet. Just wondering if you have a problem with FODMAPS,is that a forever thing?

Maybe. Some people report that after a period of eating only benign, well-tolerated foods, their guts heal and they are able to return to eating some foods that previously were irritating. Some can't. You may need to give it 6 to 9 months of safe eating before attempting reintroductions. I wish it were easier, but it is what it is.

[mary-t]

Wow, I could have written your post! I wish you the best of luck as you continue with your Whole90. It sounds like you've made amazing progress. I'm about done with my Whole30, but it's turned into a Whole100 too. I don't care how long it takes to heal, just as long as I am healing. It sounds like you feel that way too.

[Emily]

It is extremely hard on the mind and emotions when the people who are supposed to help you (health professionals) test your blood over and over again and send you home with, "You are aging. You just had children. You are depressed. Exercise and lose weight." I walked around for a long time thinking I was crazy. I'm glad I kept searching for answers.

This is really true and a terrible part of our medical system. We can't find anything wrong with you...so nothing must be wrong.

Good for you both and whoever keeps advocating for herself or himself to figure out how to feel better! Unfortunately no one else will do the work... and many will work against it.

[darleenmc]

Thank you for the helpful and encouraging posts. It feels good to know that others out there share this frustration with me! Another question,though. Since my diet is very limited because of the autoimmune protocol and the fodmaps. Should I also be taking a multivitamin? Or are there ceretain vitamins I should be taking?

Here are my staples:

Any kind of meat(grass fed and pastured)

sweet potatoes

blueberries

coconut milk/oil and flakes

spinach

green beans

zuccinni

carrots

celery

artichoke

jicama

lettuce(iceberg and romaine)

[wheresanita]

if you're thinking that you might need supplementation, perhaps go back to the holistic person you saw that set you on the right path in the 1st place. If you have issues with absorption a standard multi might not help you - you may need something in elixir or suspension for adequate absorption.